Among the 25 crew members on board the container ship seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards off the coast of UAE, 17 are Indian nationals.
According to sources, the vessel, MCS Aries, was apprehended near the Strait of Hormuz in a "heliborne operation" and is reportedly en route to Iran's territorial waters, as per the state-owned IRNA news agency.
A source stated, "We are aware that Iran has taken control of a cargo ship 'MSC Aries'. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of the Indian nationals."
This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Amidst fears of potential Iranian retaliation for an airstrike on its embassy's consular section in Syria's Damascus, Iran has hinted at possible actions against Israel. The airstrike claimed the lives of seven individuals, including two generals.
Iran has alleged that the seized vessel is "related to the Zionist regime (Israel) in the Gulf." Tracking websites vesselfinder.com and marinetraffic.com indicate that the MSC Aries is a Portuguese-flagged container ship, with its last known position in the Gulf.
According to IRNA, the operation to seize the vessel was executed by the Sepah (Guards) Navy Special Forces in the vicinity of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global maritime trade, redirecting the ship towards Iranian waters.
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